Officials want more money out of Ohio Turnpike

BEREA -- State officials may increase tolls and close maintenance facilities as they consider ways to make more money from the Ohio Turnpike.

Ohio Department of Transportation deputy director Jim Riley said Monday that a study is in the works to figure out how to "unlock the value" of the 241-mile toll road across northern Ohio,

A state-financed, $2.85 million study of the future of the road is in the works.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that Riley's briefing to the Ohio Turnpike Commission did not include a specific recommendation for increasing tolls. Ohio has some of the lowest toll rates in the region for trucks and passenger vehicles.

The presentation also said that two of the eight turnpike maintenance compounds could be eliminated to save money.